Eleven months ago many members of the Blackbird Leys Choir did not know they could sing a note - let alone dream they could perform for the Queen.

But the choir has rounded off a remarkable year's journey: from the early auditions at the Blackbird Leys Community Centre to a successful performance at the Royal Albert Hall and finally this week to the luxurious setting of Buckingham Palace.

The choir is made up of amateur singers from Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys formed in February and trained for a performance at the Royal Albert Hall for channel Five documentary The Singing Estate.

As these pictures of their grand day out to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, taken by choir members Eric Hall and Alun Evans prove, the trip to meet the Queen topped off a dream year.

Mr Evans, of Greater Leys, said: "It was an exceptional experience. It was different to the Royal Albert Hall because that was a public performance which was exciting at the time.

"But to be invited to a private reception at Buckingham Palace was really special."

The choir were called to sing at the palace for a special reception with the nation's highest achievers by the Queen after she saw them on the television series.

They sang Christmas carols to star-studded guests and gave a private rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus to Her Majesty.

Tenor Rennie Elliott said: "That place is amazing. The whole experience has been wonderful.

"People were coming up to us saying they could not believe we have only been singing for 11 months.

"The Queen said it sounded really good and how much she enjoyed it all."

The choir was driven by bus to Buckingham Palace from Blackbird Leys Community Centre on Tuesday afternoon.

At the palace they mingled with royalty and celebrity until the evening.

Among the guests at the reception were Little Britain comedian and cross-channel swimmer David Walliams, BBC Sports Personality of the Year Zara Phillips and her Rugby World Cup-winning boyfriend Mike Tindall, and actress Thandie Newton.